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Rotary Club learns about Hospice

Agency offers support for terminally ill patients

The Inter-Mountain photo by Beth Henry-Vance Robin Delaney, nurse liaison and nurse case manager for Mountain Hospice, speaks Monday to members of the Rotary Club of Elkins about the not-for-profit agency and its programs. The Rotary Club’s weekly meetings take place at the Elkins-Randolph County YMCA.

The Inter-Mountain photo by Beth Henry-Vance Robin Delaney, nurse liaison and nurse case manager for Mountain Hospice, speaks Monday to members of the Rotary Club of Elkins about the not-for-profit agency and its programs. The Rotary Club's weekly meetings take place at the Elkins-Randolph County YMCA.

ELKINS — Representatives from a local not-for-profit hospice organization are reaching out to local communities in an effort to raise awareness of their programs as well as seek volunteers.

Members of the Rotary Club of Elkins heard a presentation this week by Robin Delaney, nurse liaison and nurse case manager for Mountain Hospice, who said she hopes to dispel misconceptions about hospice services. Mike Elza, director of marketing and community education for Mountain Hospice, assisted with Monday’s presentation.

Delaney noted no one likes to discuss dying, but hospice staff and volunteers are able to offer support in a range of positive ways to terminally ill patients. She said the hospice philosophy is to provide comfort, relieve pain and offer supportive services to patients as well as their families.

“When folks are ready for hospice, there are often no longer any treatment options for them,” she said, noting hospice nurses, staff, chaplains and volunteers can help patients with physical pain, as well as mental, spiritual and emotional needs.

She said the spiritual aspect is an important part of care, and services include prayer, Bible reading/study, religious rites and rituals in line with the patient’s

beliefs.

“We have done baptisms, weddings, whatever the family feels is unfinished business. We’ll go out of our way to help them accomplish that,” Delaney said.

She said staff and volunteers also try to help each patient enjoy each day as much as possible, by introducing laughter and paying attention to each patient’s wishes.

For example, she said if a patient wants to read the newspaper but is not able to on their own anymore, a hospice caregiver could read it to them out loud.

“It’s those little things that will improve the quality of life for patients,” she said.

Mountain Hospice was established in 1991 in Philippi, and its main offices now are located in Belington. The agency has locations in seven counties, including Barbour, Randolph, Tucker, Pendleton, Pocahontas, Grant and Mineral.

Mountain Hospice accepts referrals from families, friends, physicians, hospital staff, etc., by calling 1-888-763-7789. Once the patient’s consent is obtained, a referral is made and the assessment process begins. Delaney said a hospice nurse normally is the first person to visit the patient.

Patients often are dealing with terminal medical conditions such as cancer, heart disease, dementia or lung, liver or kidney conditions. They are accepted based on their health needs, not the ability to pay, Delaney added. Hospice patients receive medications and treatments that provide comfort based on their medical condition, as well as medical equipment and supplies.

Mountain Hospice also provides bereavement support and organizes annual memorial services to honor patients who’ve passed away. The agency also makes an effort to honor all veterans.

More information about Mountain Hospice is available by calling 304-823-3922 or 1-888-763-7789.

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